If My Heart Had Wings

I know that the name, If My Heart Had Wings may not sound like the most appealing name for an erotic visual novel. However, do not judge a book by its cover. Many people who are fans of visual novel games will have this one on their best games list and for good reason too! The version that we got here in the West still tells the same great story, but the more “extreme” content was cut. To be honest, this does not take away from the story, but you can find a patch to put it back in if you want.

Shattered Dreams

I think that If My Heart Had Wings is a kind of hard game to sell to people. You see the story is about a guy called Aoi who dreams of becoming a racing champion. He has an accident and these dreams are no longer something he can try and do. He moves back to his hometown and he has a bit of a breakdown as he has no idea what to do with his life nay more. It is here that he sees a glider, and this inspires him to want to take flight.

He tries to start up a Soaring Club that used to be at the school but was ditched. He along with a friend from childhood strike up a great friendship and meet a bunch of new and interesting characters. While this is technically a “romance” story, what I found so captivating about it was Aoi himself and how the story was like a coming of age and finding himself story.

Life Imitating Art

I thought that the story If My Heart Had Wings told was lovely, tragic, and thought-provoking. However, a huge reason this story connects so well with the majority of people who play it is the way that it is brought to life. This game features some of the most spectacular 2D artwork you will ever see in a visual novel. It is so good, that I would even go as far as to say that this is movie-like quality!

It is not just the fantastic visuals that bring this story to life. All of the main characters are fully voice acted and they got some very talented people to bring these characters to life in the game.

Five Ways To Go

Aoi is a very interesting character and in this game, you have five main story arcs that you can take him through. You have plenty of choices that you can make in If My Heart Had Wings and these will dictate the way the story you are experiencing will go. It is very well done and I would say that there are probably over 20 hours of gameplay if want to see all of the content that the game has to go.

To Lewd Or Not To Lewd?

This is classed as a lewd visual novel game, but the truth is I do not actually think this is a game that needs any sex in it. When it is here, it is not as if it is out of place. However, at the same time, I would not say that you are missing out on anything from a story point of view.

Do not get me wrong, it is well done, but this is a visual novel that is about more than just seeing people get it on.

Pros:

• This game looks like a movie
• It features fantastic writing
• The voice acting really does bring the character to life
• You have over 20 hours of gameplay
• Aoi is such an interesting character

Cons:

• Some of the translation from Japanese to English is not exactly perfect
• You do have to go hunting for that nude patch if you want it